Deadline approaches for Washburn song competition

Combine your talent and your love for Washburn University for a chance to win a $500 cash prize and collaborate with lyrical professionals. The winner of the song competition will collaborate with internationally known lyricist Tony Silvestri and nationally acclaimed poet Eric McHenry.

Anyone, students, employees, alumni and friends of Washburn, is welcome to enter the competition to create a school song honoring our sesquicentennial.

The competition will include two phases. The first phase is the lyrics competition, with a deadline of April 1, 2013; and the second is the music competition, with a deadline of April 1, 2014. Formal introduction of the new song will occur in conjunction with the university’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2015.

For more details about the competition or to submit an entry, visit washburn.edu/150. For questions, e-mail school.song@washburn.edu.

What's an Ichabod?

Washburn's mascot, the Ichabod, honors the school's early benefactor, Ichabod Washburn, a 19th century Massachusetts industrialist. The original design of the studious-looking, tuxedo-clad figure was created in 1938 by Bradbury Thompson (ba '34), who became an internationally acclaimed graphic artist. Design wasn't Thompson's only consideration. To the stylized Ichabod the artist attributed the qualities of "...courage and enthusiasm, as shown by his brisk walk. He is democratic and courteous, for he tips his hat as he passes. Sincere in his search for truth and knowledge, he studiously carries a book under his arm..."